- Volvo Energy reveals commercial PU500 battery energy storage system (BESS), with a capacity from 450 to 540 kWh, and can operate in concern with the grid or as an "island."
- The PU500 features a 240 kW DC fast charger, and can store enough energy to recharge 20 EVs, Volvo Energy says, or charge a heavy-duty EV truck in 1.5 hours.
- BESS such as this one are aimed primarily at remote construction sites where they can recharge an EV truck or power an excavator or other type of machinery.
The modern EV era has seen quick pace of battery tech innovation, reminding many of the rapid progress of computer CPU speed of the 1990s. But it also quickly opened the question of what to do with batteries from used or scrapped EVs.
For several years, automakers have been tackling this challenge by establishing battery recycling facilities to reclaim resources from electric vehicle batteries. Additionally, they've introduced initiatives to reuse these spent batteries as components in energy storage solutions.
Up until now, these battery storage systems were largely bespoke solutions primarily utilized by automotive manufacturers themselves, instead of being something another customer could purchase.
Volvo Energy, a unit of truck and bus maker Volvo Group launched in 2021 with electric applications in mind, has taken the wraps off the PU500 battery energy storage system (BESS). And it's a bit like a scaled up version of an external battery for iPhones and other electronics you might bring on a long trip.
The PU500 boasts a storage capacity between 450 and 540 kWh. It can operate independently, like at an isolated construction site, or function while linked to the power grid for gradual recharging.
With a built-in 240-kW DC fast charger, this system can rapidly replenish electric vehicles or supply energy for a portable trailer application. However, its primary intended use is to charge electric trucks and large equipment at off-grid construction sites or areas without established electrical infrastructure.
"Niklas Thulin, who leads the BESS Product Offer at Volvo Energy, stated that the PU500, featuring an incorporated CCS2 charger, is compatible with electric equipment, trucks, and passenger vehicles from various manufacturers," he explained.
Although maintaining something akin to this at home and continually charged via the electrical grid just in case of a power outage might seem excessive, the PU500 would perfectly suit providing energy to an electric excavator on a lumber harvesting site or various construction locations where electricity supply may be limited.
In the future, this type of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) might also function as an emergency power source for a group of electric vehicles, particularly those utilized by emergency services personnel, allowing them to rapidly charge their vehicle batteries should they lose power at their station.
According to Volvo Energy, this system has the capability to charge up to 20 electric vehicles each day once completely powered up, and it can also replenish a large commercial vehicle within approximately 90 minutes.
"The PU500 stands as a dependable, versatile, and effective answer tailored for companies and sectors needing adjustable energy solutions," stated Elisabeth Larsson, who leads sales and services at Volvo Energy.
Currently, construction firms often utilize diesel generators for such needs, particularly when it involves operating small machinery. However, these aren’t ideal for charging an entire vehicle since they do not produce power rapidly enough. That’s precisely where Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with their 240-kilowatt chargers offer a distinctive benefit.
What we require at this point are numerous robust battery-electric vehicle (BEV) construction trucks, rather than diesel-powered ones, which could greatly profit from such advancements. However, achieving this might take some time.
Will battery energy storage systems like this one likely become commonplace in the future, at least as a component of standalone electric vehicle charging stations? Will they stay as a rather specialized option? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section.
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